International Women's Poetry Slam Championship: Preliminary Bouts

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This week, there will be plenty of outspoken performers in town for the International Women's Poetry Slam Championship. This will be Minneapolis's first time hosting the competition, now in its fifth year. For the next four days, over 80 top talents from across the U.S., Canada, and even New Zealand will duke it out onstage, presenting their strongest pieces to audiences and a panel of judges, who will be randomly selected at each event (as slam tradition dictates). Events kick off Wednesday night with a Last Chance Slam and opening party, where 12 poets will vie for the last competitor slot starting at 8 p.m. at Kieran's Irish Pub (601 N. First Ave., Minneapolis; 612.339.4499). Thursday and Friday boast four slam-off preliminary bouts at 7 and 9 p.m. simultaneously at Kieran's and the nearby Institute of Production & Recording (300 N. First Ave., Minneapolis; 612.375.1900). On Thursday, poets will be asked to bring a four-minute and a one-minute poem to perform, while Friday's competitors will need to prepare two-minute and three-minute pieces. Finally, the event culminates Saturday with the Championship Finals at Aria (105 N. First St., Minneapolis; 612.333.6200) starting at 7 p.m. Here, the best poets will compete for grand top honors. There will also be workshops, writing classes, open mics, and other related events scheduled during the festival. For more info, visit wow.poetryslam.com. $5 Wednesday through Friday; $25 Saturday; $40-$50 festival pass. 8 p.m. Wednesday; 7 and 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 7 p.m. Saturday.
March 7-8, 7 & 9 p.m., 2013